((I think it'll make sense for Powers to grant auto-success in certain tasks))
((I might be a while in Seyda Neen, depending on how this works out.))
"Yeah, none of this should be a problem. I've got a system in place for this kind of stuff."
Get back out of the slave pens.
"Okay, so hear this: we can shift most of your goods via the tradehouse. I've got an arrangement with the proprietor, he helps me move some of the more... sensitive stuff."
"So the idea is, right around when night falls two of you grab a hefty sample of your sugar, keep it on yourselves all sneaky-like and walk in there - I told him to expect you if all goes well with the negotiation. Tell him Caius Polonius sent you, and - this is important - buy his copy of Lives of the Saints. That's how he'll know you're trustworthy and that I sent you. Don't bring up the sugar itself in there, his assistant doesn't know a thing and we aim to keep it that way."
"When you've done that, bid him good evening and go out and around the back. A couple guys in Legion armor will come to meet you there - don't worry, they're our men on the inside. Hrisskar's boys. Identify yourself with the code phrase 'we're delivering for Fargoth' and offer them the sugar. They'll have your money."
"All works out, you'll have a channel to get rid of all this sugar and Skooma in a week or two, tops, making deliveries every couple of days. The slaves I'll have to get a thing to transport around reasonably quickly, so I'll rendezvous with you a little ways off the lighthouse to take the slaves off your hands - should be ready at about the stroke of midnight, make sure to have them ready for transport."
Spin criminally conspiratorial gold from straw. If it doesn't look like they're buying this, utilize the Voice of the Emperor. The idea is that they show up at the back of Arrille's Tradehouse in a couple hours' time with the sugar and having done the right things, giving me time to get some... preparations in order.
((Just as long as we get you to the first night, all the times will be synched again))
((Also this gon be good))
[Auto] Using your considerable wordly talent, plus the Voice of the Emperor, they fall for it hook line and sinker. "Never woulda figured that goldenrod for a fence. Guess it just takes the right connections. Alright, we'll do as you say. Hrisskar... am I saying that right?"
[2] Your negotiations with the smugglers took a long time, and so you find a late afternoon sky when you step outside again. Looks like you have around two hours until nightfall to do what you need to do.
Stop by the elf's table.
"Well met again, sir. Surprised to see you again so soon."
The bosmer looks up. "Oh, I thought you might be passing through here. You know, I could have brought you with me and saved you a lot of walking. Divine Intervention is quite handy..." He sighs, and takes a long pull on his drink.
Pester the guards and Khajiit with smalltalk. If/when I arrive at Balmora, ask around for the South Wall, then ask around the South Wall for Caius Cosades, then visit Caius Cosades.
[5] The guards let you join in their dice game. You win 30 septims and a jug of Sujamma from them. One of them, an orc named Balgugar, seems to take a shine to you. "Your luck is strong. You should look me up if you're ever in Gnisis"
[6] The Khajiit gives his name as "M'iaq." He gives you quite an earful, while also making an increasingly outlandish sales pitches for the creature in the cage. "It's the best scrib, yes, the best one there is. Had it for 20 years. Of course, it's not really a scrib, but the lost other half of Clavicus Vile, so M'iaq must keep it in the cage for the sake of the whole world. But maybe M'iaq can pass this duty off to someone else, and fulfill the prophecy of the Daedra. But M'iaq is only speculating about prophecies of Clavicus Vile. If M'iaq knew he had to fulfill a prophecy, he would look for at least 6 candidates to hedge his bets, yes. That is the smart way. Also, some would tell you that M'iaq has the wrong scrib. He hears that Clavicus Vile's other half is a fancy scamp in Caldera. But this is ridiculous, no?"
Eventually, you arrive in Balmora. There wasn't much to see on the way, as the night skies were cloudy: only the occasional lights of riverboats, cottages, Legion night patrols, and campsites. "Make sure you have all your things before you get off," says the Caravaner, who takes a big stretch after the long ride. "I'd go directly to an inn if I were you. Some of these streets are dicey after midnight."
The legionnaires laugh at this. "I think we'll be fine," says the Orc, and they each tip the driver as they disembark.
The khajiit stays put. "M'iaq has promises to keep, and miles to go before he sleeps."
[4] Asking a guard for directions, you get a very straightforward path to the cornerclub. "Just follow the south wall of the city. The streets along the wall are well watched, too." Indeed, you do spot dunmeri guards patrolling with regularity as you walk along. The waterfront especially seems well-guarded even at this late hour, though aside from the guards there are only a few night-workers on the river docks. Eventually you come to the placcard you've been looking for, and enter the cornerclub
[3] The publican seems to be out at the moment, and those still awake around the bar tell you he'd be the one to know, but a Khajiit woman wearing chitin armor offers to answer your questions. "Habasi hears others asking about this Caius a few hours ago. She can tell you where they went, for a small price."
"Taahni, I haven't seen the others with paper and packages so I'll assume we're either the first, or otherwise. Regardless, I think we are being tested in terms of endurance...and patience to move everywhere given these kinds of instructions," Tyri said, examining her paper again after moving to a quiet spot where she could speak to the nice Khajiit.
Proceed to the town of Balmora in Vvardenfell District. Report to a man named Caius Cosades. He will be your superior and patron; you will follow his orders. His residence is not known, but ask at the cornerclub called "South Wall". People there will know where to find Caius Cosades. When you report to Caius Cosades, deliver the package of documents to him, and wait for further orders.
"Good thing is it's straightforward. Would you like to test out Caius' instructions? And when we get there--would you like to go first or me to go first?"
"Taahni does not know why we should hide the fact we shared information of our packages with each other. We can deliver our packages at the same time, there is nothing in the instructions I was given saying that it was not allowed, and Taahni thinks hiding our mutual knowledge would be worse than admitting it immediately."
Walk with Tyrian to Caius Cosades house, don't enter yet.
A few hours ago...After several minutes of walking, you come at last to the end of the street, and a small house that matches the description you were given exactly.